"Alright Leslie, tip your head back just slightly. That's a girl." Mrs. Granger said as Leslie Perks was leaning back in the hard dentist's chair the Grangers kept in their home. The Grangers were both dentists and worked out of their own home and on that hot afternoon at the end of August, Mrs. Granger was checking Leslie's teeth.

"Good girl, you haven't got any cavities." Mrs. Granger stated with a wide smile of pearly white teeth. Leslie peered out of the corner of her eye, and saw her best friend Hermione Granger walking into the room.

"Mum, I'm sure Leslie's teeth are fine." Hermione said as she rolled her eyes with a grin. Mrs. Granger turned to look at her daughter.

"You can never be too sure, my dear. Besides, what would happen if you got a cavity while you were at Hogwarts?" She asked as she continued to gaze into Leslie's open mouth.

"They have wizard dentists in Hogsmeade." Hermione replied. "I read about it in The Fine Establishments of Hogsmeade." Leslie giggled, amazed at how much Hermione had read over their summer vacation. Leslie couldn't believe they were already going back to Hogwarts the day after tomorrow.

Leslie Perks and Hermione Granger weren't ordinary children. They were young witches who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Instead of learning Algebra and Geography, they learned about Transfiguration and Charms. Instead of arts and crafts, they learned how to brew potions.

Leslie had spent her summer vacation with the Grangers. During her first year at Hogwarts, she received word that her parents had died in a car crash. She had been orphaned but her best friends had been there for her. Leslie felt so lucky to have Hermione as her roommate over the summer holidays. And though she loved spending time with the Grangers, she was very eager to return to her real home: Hogwarts.

"Well dear, I'm sorry but I just don't trust those wizard dentists. I prefer to do it the, er, Mubble way." Mrs. Granger said as she winked at Leslie.

"Er, actually, it's Muggle, Mrs. Granger." Leslie corrected as she hopped out of the chair. Muggles were non-magical folks, like Mr. and Mrs. Granger. That was another reason Leslie was eager to return to Hogwarts. What she missed most of all, was being able to perform magic. It was against the law for underaged witches or wizards to perform any kind of magic outside of school. Leslie couldn't wait to pull out her seven-inch Dragon tail wand and begin casting spells and charms. Only one more day. She thought with a content sigh.

---

"Did your mum have a look at your teeth then?" Leslie asked later that afternoon as she folded her fresh school robes Mrs. Granger kindly washed earlier that morning. Hermione nodded.

"Yeah, and they're fine. Mum's still concerned about my overbite but I'm trying to convince her to let Madame Pomfrey shrink them with theRefugio charm." She replied as she patted Leslie's orange cat, Jinxie on the head. Jinxie purred loudly and jumped into Hermione's lap.

"Your mum isn't too keen on magic, is she?" Leslie asked as she closed up her trunk for a break. Hermione shrugged.

"She's just a bit leery. I mean, she isn't a witch, so she doesn't find any of it normal. They aren't subjected to our world as often as we are. To us, it just seems natural. I guess we take it for granted." She replied as she looked over at her wall calendar. "Are you excited about tomorrow?"

"Yeah I can't wait. I'm so excited about finally seeing Harry and Ron. It feels like it's been forever." Leslie replied, referring to the her other best friends from Hogwarts. "It's so nice of your mum and dad to throw me a birthday party."

"Well, it was my idea. I thought it would be great to have Harry and Ron come for your party and then we could all go to Diagon Alley afterward to buy our school supplies." Hermione said with a grin. Leslie smiled, and then puckered her brow.

"What?" Hermione questioned.

"I just find it odd that we haven't heard from Harry yet." Leslie replied. Hermione nodded.

"Yeah, he didn't send a reply as to whether or not he was coming to your party or not." She pointed out.

"And, he hasn't sent a thank you letter for the birthday card we sent him in July either." Leslie added.

"I expect he's probably busy. He'll come to your party though. He would never miss his friend's birthday party." Hermione reasoned. Leslie knew her best friend was right. Still, Leslie thought it was a bit odd.

---

"Leslie!" Mr. Granger yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "Somebody's here to see you." Leslie turned to Hermione with raised eyebrows.

"Do you think it's Harry?" She asked eagerly, as the two girls ran toward the staircase, flying down the steps. It wasn't Harry waiting at the bottom of the stairs, but it was still a familiar face.

"Professor!" Leslie exclaimed as she ran up to Professor McGonagall with a large grin. Professor McGonagall was head of Gryffindor house at Hogwarts, as well as deputy headmistress. Only months ago, Leslie discovered the truth about McGonagall; that she was her grandmother. Leslie hadn't seen her since the last day of term back in June.

"Hello my dear." Professor McGonagall greeted with a slight smile. Leslie knew that meant she was pleased to see her.

"What are you doing here, Professor?" Leslie asked with a smile. She still hadn't grown accustomed to calling her 'grandmother' and since only Leslie and her three friends knew the truth, Leslie had become used to making sure nobody else found out.

"I came by to wish you a happy birthday. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to your birthday party tomorrow." McGonagall said as she frowned. Leslie's smile dropped.

"Why not?" She asked with a disappointed tone. McGonagall sighed.

"Well, you know tomorrow is the day before you are expected at Hogwarts. I am expecting owl after owl of replies to the acceptance letters I sent out to first year students. It's going to be a busy day for me. I'm afraid I will be unable to attend your party. However, I am having your gift sent by owl tomorrow morning before your party begins." She explained. Leslie brightened up a little at this.

"You have a gift for me?" She asked. McGonagall nodded.

"I must be off. It is good to see you Leslie, my dear. Please continue to behave yourself for the Grangers. Be sure to thank them for throwing you a party and I will see you the day after tomorrow. Safe travels, and happy birthday." Professor McGonagall patted Leslie on the shoulder and without another word, disappeared into thin air. Leslie jumped back.

"What - where - what happened?" She asked with a fright. Hermione giggled.

"She Apparated." She said simply. Leslie puckered her brow.

"She what?" She asked.

"Apparated. We're too young for that yet, but once you get your license, you can disappear from one spot and reappear in another in only seconds. It's a great time saver." Hermione replied.

"So she just Apparated from here to Hogwarts?" Leslie asked, still amazed at what she had just seen. Hermione shook her head.

"No, that's impossible. Hogwarts is charmed so that nobody can Apparate into or out of Hogwarts or the grounds. Professor McGonagall must have Apparated into Hogsmeade, or outside of Hogwarts' gates." She explained. Leslie sighed and shook her head with a little giggle.

"I guess there is still quite a bit I've got to learn about the wizarding world." She said. Hermione smiled with a nod.

"Come on then." She said, as she headed up the stairs. "Let's finish our packing."